Aug. 27, 2007

DeKalb, Ill. - With only one day to spare after the NIU Invitational, the Northern Illinois (1-2, 0-0 Mid-American Conference) volleyball team will try to get their second victory of the season when they face in-state rival Illinois State (2-1, 0-0 Missouri Valley Conference) Tuesday, August 28 at 7 p.m. at home on Victor E. Court.

The Huskies are a day removed from a third place finish at the NIU Invitational. NIU went 1-2, losing to Indiana University, 2-3, and dropping a match to Western Kentucky, 0-3. The Huskies lone win came against Western Illinois, 3-0.

"We know what we need to get better at," said Northern Illinois head coach Ray Gooden. "We're going to try to work hard even though there's a short turnaround to improve on some of those things. We want to maintain the positives that we have and try to take another step forward."

Junior Irene Johnson (Schaumburg, Ill. / Schaumburg) led the Huskies with 41 kills over the season-opening weekend. Johnson also garnered NIU Invitational All-Tournament honors with her performance. Leading the Huskies in digs is Junior Jody Hardwick (Crystal Lake, Ill. / Crystal Lake South / St. Louis) with 39 digs. NIU junior Mandi Caputo (Chicago, Ill. / Immaculate Heart of Mary) has posted a team-high 111 assists.

The all-time series between the Redbirds and Huskies stands in favor of ISU, 31-20. The last meeting between the two was last year where ISU took the match, 3-1. ISU was 17-13 in 2006 with a 11-7 record in conference play and return five starters. The Redbirds have posted back-to-back wins coming into their matchup versus the Huskies. ISU beat Miami (OH), 3-1, and Valparaiso, 3-0, on Saturday, August 25. MC Richmond leads ISU in kills with 48. Peggy Riessen has a team-high 42 digs for Illinois State. Leading the Redbirds in assists is Erin Lindsey.

"Illinois State is an in-state rival and a very tough opponent," said Gooden. "They are a very experienced team that has a lot of balance."

-NIU